Ellis Nicole Wheeler (born December 14, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right or left back for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played college soccer for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the Current in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft.
_077_(cropped).jpg) Wheeler with the Kansas City Current in 2024 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ellis Nicole Wheeler[1] | ||
| Date of birth | December 14, 2001 | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Position(s) | right or left back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Kansas City Current | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2023 | Penn State Nittany Lions | 77 | (3) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Kansas City Current | 23 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2020 | United States U-19 | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 3, 2024 | |||
Early life and college career
editWheeler grew up in Fairfax Station, Virginia, the daughter of Scott and Nicole Wheeler, and has two brothers.[2][3] She played club soccer as a forward for FC Virginia of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), leading her division in goals in 2015–16.[4] She committed to the Pennsylvania State University in March 2017.[4]
Penn State Nittany Lions
editWheeler was a four-year starter for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2020 to 2023.[2] She was converted to a defender at the college level, moving to wing back for her first season and then center back as a sophomore.[5] As a junior, she helped the team win the 2022 Big Ten tournament.[3] She recorded three goals and six assists over 77 appearances.[2]
Club career
editKansas City Current
editThe Kansas City Current selected Wheeler 18th overall in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, the team's highest pick of the night.[6] She was signed to a one-year contract with an option to extend.[7] She made her professional debut in the season opener on May 16, 2024, starting and scoring the Current's second goal in a 5–4 home win over the Portland Thorns.[8] On August 27, her contract was extended for four years to keep her with the club to the end of 2028.[9] She made 23 appearances (13 starts) in her rookie season as the Current placed fourth in the standings. She played every minute of the Current's two playoff games, which ended in a 3–2 defeat to the Orlando Pride in the semifinals.[10]
International career
editWheeler participated in Virginia's Olympic Development Program in 2013 and 2014.[4] She was called into a training camp with the United States national under-17 team in July 2018.[11] She was rostered with the under-19 team for a friendly tournament in Spain in February–March 2020.[12] While in college, she played friendlies with the under-23 team against NWSL clubs in the 2023 preseason.[13]
Honors
editKansas City Current
References
edit- ^ "Penn State Commencement, Summer Session 2023, Baccalaureate and Associate Degrees" (PDF). Penn State. August 12, 2023. p. 14. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Ellie Wheeler – Women's Soccer". Penn State Nittany Lions. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ellie Wheeler". Kansas City Current. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c Clark, Travis (March 17, 2017). "ECNL scoring ace makes 2020 commitment". TopDrawerSoccer. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Lyons, Otis (August 25, 2021). "Ellie Wheeler's Defensive Improvement Key To Penn State Women's Soccer's Success". Onward State. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Sperry, Daniel (January 13, 2024). "KC Current pick versatile right-back from Penn State, 2 goalkeepers in NWSL Draft". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Kansas City Current sign pair of draft picks ahead of 2024 season". Kansas City Current. March 7, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Sperry, Daniel (March 18, 2024). "History made & a wild game: KC Current electrify CPKC Stadium in season-opening win". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Kansas City Current extend defender Ellie Wheeler for four years". Kansas City Current. August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ "Ellie Wheeler 2024 Match Logs". FBref.com. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ "U17 WNT heads to Kansas City for camp". United States Soccer Federation. July 16, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via TopDrawerSoccer.
- ^ "U19 WNT roster announced for La Manga". United States Soccer Federation. February 25, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via TopDrawerSoccer.
- ^ "U23 WNT Roster for Thorns Tournament". United States Soccer Federation. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024 – via TopDrawerSoccer.
- ^ "Match Report: Kansas City Current win NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup with 2-0 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC". Kansas City Current. October 25, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
External links
edit- Ellie Wheeler at Soccerway.com
